Red Sox 4, Royals 3: Nava's shot lifts Boston

On a day unlike any other in the 101-year history of Fenway Park, Daniel Nava’s three-run, two-out home run in the eighth inning was the difference in Boston’s 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, extending the Red Sox’ winning streak to seven games.

How a game ends certainly isn’t going to erase the horrific events that encompassed this region during the past week. A baseball game is just that - a baseball game.

"Hitting a home run isn’t going to bring someone back to life or heal someone who is hurt, but maybe it provided a distraction and made those affected by everything that’s happened feel just a little better," said Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava.

On a day unlike any other in the 101-year history of Fenway Park, Nava’s three-run, two-out home run in the eighth inning was the difference in Boston’s 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, extending the Red Sox’ winning streak to seven games.

The day was filled with emotion as the Red Sox played their first home game since the bombings on Marathon Monday. There was a moving pregame ceremony. Neil Diamond, who surprised the Red Sox by coming to Boston on his own, led the crowd in singing Sweet Caroline after the top of the eighth inning.

Yet the Red Sox entered the bottom of the eighth behind 2-1. The hopes of the crowd of 35,152 were raised when Jonny Gomes hit a pinch-hit double to commence the eighth and Dustin Pedroia followed by walking. In his first major league game of the season, David Ortiz was put into the position to become a hero. Ortiz spoke to the fans before the game, using a word that can’t be repeated, to express passion for Boston. He had two hits and an RBI in his three prior at-bats, but Worcester’s Tim Collins induced Ortiz to ground into a double play. After a change of pitchers, Mike Napoli earned a walk off Kelvin Herrera to extend the frame.

In the seventh inning, Nava made a base-running faux pas when he was picked off second base with no outs and two runners on. The Red Sox ended up not scoring in the inning.

An inning later, Nava atoned for his error in a big way when he sent a Herrera change-up over Boston’s bullpen for a three-run homer.

"It was nice that I was able to make up for getting picked off, something which shouldn’t have happened," said Nava. "When I hit the ball I was yelling at it, ‘Stretch, get out.' When I was rounding the bases I was thinking that we had gone ahead late in the game. Afterward I started thinking about what the day meant, how emotional it was and how I was glad that we maybe gave those affected by the tragedy something to smile about."

"I was just so happy when Nava hit the ball out and picked me up after I grounded into a double play," said Ortiz. "I’ve had a lot of great moments in this park, but this game was different because of what’s happened. We really wanted to win for the fans and the city."

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Boston’s 4-2 lead was quickly reduced to a run in the ninth inning when Kansas City’s Lorenzo Cain completed a 4-for-4 day by transforming an Andrew Bailey pitch into a lead-off home run. After two outs, Bailey walked a pair. He finally secured the win by retiring Alex Gordon via a ground ball.

Clay Buchholz kept the Red Sox in position to win by pitching well once again en route to improving his record to 4-0. He hurled eight innings, permitting two runs and eight hits, while striking out six and walking just one. Buchholz threw 104 pitches in eight innings. The Royals’ James Shields, who limited Boston to one run, was removed after throwing 106 pitches in six innings.

"Clay is pitching with a lot of confidence. He looks very relaxed on the mound," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "His first-pitch strike percentage was very high. That helped him be able to pitch eight innings."

Jeff Francoeur put the Royals ahead with an RBI single in the fifth inning. Ortiz countered in the sixth with a single up the middle to plate his first run of the season. Kansas City regained the advantage in the seventh when Salvador Perez lashed a run-scoring triple into the right field corner.

NOTES: To make room for Ortiz on the roster the Red Sox optioned outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to Pawtucket. In 12 games with Boston, including 10 starts, Bradley, who turned 23 Friday, was just 3-for-31 (.097). ...

Shane Victorino, who started in right field, had to leave the game because of tightness in his lower back. ...

Boston is 8-0 this season in games started by Jon Lester and Buchholz. ...

The Red Sox and Royals will make up Friday night’s postponed game with a day-night doubleheader today. The afternoon game will begin at its regularly scheduled time of 1:35 p.m. with the night game starting at 7 p.m. Ryan Dempster will pitch the opener for Boston. Allen Webster will make his first major league start in the night game.